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Quick answer: the best Swan iron for most people is the SI12055AQ. It is Swan’s most powerful steam iron at 3000W, with a 225g/min shot and a 1.9m swivel cord, and it still sits in the cheapest price band. If you iron big piles, the SI12051AQ steam generator gives you a 900ml tank and 80g/min of steam. Want to go cord-free? The SI16410N works with or without its cable.
- Power: 3000W
- Continuous steam: 50g/min
- Steam shot: 225g/min
- Power: 2400W
- Continuous steam: 80g/min
- Steam shot: –
Swan is a British brand best known for kettles and toasters, and its irons follow the same idea: simple, cheap and good enough for everyday ironing. Don’t expect the scale collectors, smart temperature control or big steam figures of Tefal and Philips. You do get a ceramic soleplate, anti-calc, anti-drip and self-clean on nearly every model, plus a 2-year guarantee on the current range.
The current irons all share the same white-and-aqua design, and the model number tells you the power: SI12052AQ (2200W), SI12054AQ (2600W), SI12056AQ (2800W) and SI12055AQ (3000W). Our advice is simple: the price gap between them is small, so buy the most powerful one you can. Extra power means faster heat-up and a bigger steam shot.
Our top picks at a glance
- Best Swan iron overall Swan SI12055AQ ProSteam 3000W (£). Check price
- Best Swan for big loads Swan SI12051AQ Steam Generator (££). Check price
- Best value Swan SI12056AQ ProSteam 2800W (£). Check price
- Best cordless Swan Swan 2-in-1 Cord or Cordless SI16410N (£). Check price
- Best budget Swan Swan SI12054AQ ProSteam 2600W (£). Check price
- Best Swan travel iron Swan SI3070N Compact Travel Iron (£). Check price
Price tiers compare models within this guide: £ budget, ££ mid-range, £££ premium, ££££ top of the range. We do not list exact prices because they change daily. Tap “Check price” to see the current price on Amazon UK.
Comparison table
| Model | Power | Continuous steam | Steam shot | Tank | Cord | Price tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swan SI12055AQ ProSteam 3000W | 3000W | 50g/min | 225g/min | 360ml | 1.9m, 360° swivel | £ |
| Swan SI12051AQ Steam Generator | 2400W | 80g/min | – | 900ml | – | ££ |
| Swan SI12056AQ ProSteam 2800W | 2800W | – | – | 350ml | 1.9m, 360° swivel | £ |
| Swan 2-in-1 Cord or Cordless SI16410N | 2800W | – | 120g/min | 300ml | – | £ |
| Swan SI12054AQ ProSteam 2600W | 2600W | 35g/min | 180g/min | – | – | £ |
| Swan SI3070N Compact Travel Iron | 900W | – | – | 100ml | – | £ |
Price tiers compare models within this guide: £ budget, ££ mid-range, £££ premium, ££££ top of the range. We do not list exact prices because they change daily. Tap “Check price” to see the current price on Amazon UK.
The best picks, reviewed
Best Swan iron overall
Swan SI12055AQ ProSteam 3000W
- Power: 3000W
- Continuous steam: 50g/min
- Steam shot: 225g/min
- Tank: 360ml
- Cord: 1.9m, 360° swivel
- Soleplate: Ceramic, narrow tip
- Extras: Anti-calc, anti-drip, self-clean
This is the one to buy. It is the top of Swan’s new range and the only one with a proper headline steam figure: 50g/min continuous and a 225g/min shot, which is in the same league as mid-range Russell Hobbs and Tefal irons. The long swivel cord makes it easy to use on a full-size board, and the narrow tip gets between shirt buttons.
- Most steam of any Swan steam iron
- Long 1.9m swivel cord
- Big 360ml tank
- Very cheap for 3000W
- No auto shut-off listed
- Less continuous steam than a steam generator
Our verdict: Everyday family ironing on a budget.
Best Swan for big loads
Swan SI12051AQ Steam Generator
- Power: 2400W
- Continuous steam: 80g/min
- Steam shot: –
- Tank: 900ml
- Cord: –
- Soleplate: Scratch-resistant ceramic
- Extras: 4 steam presets, anti-calc, anti-drip
Swan’s only current steam generator is a lightweight, entry-level one. The 900ml tank means far fewer refills than a normal iron, and 80g/min of steady steam is more than any Swan steam iron manages continuously. It is not a high-pressure machine like the Tefal Pro Express or Philips PerfectCare, but it costs a fraction of the price.
- 900ml tank for long sessions
- 4 simple steam presets
- 2-year guarantee
- Much less steam than mid-range steam generators
- Swan does not publish a pressure (bar) figure
Our verdict: Bedding and big weekly piles on a tight budget.
Best value
Swan SI12056AQ ProSteam 2800W
- Power: 2800W
- Continuous steam: –
- Steam shot: –
- Tank: 350ml
- Cord: 1.9m, 360° swivel
- Soleplate: Ceramic, extra plate tips
- Extras: Anti-calc, anti-drip, 2-year guarantee
Almost as powerful as the SI12055AQ, with the same long swivel cord and a 350ml tank, plus a 2-year guarantee. Swan doesn’t publish steam figures for this one, so if the two are the same price, pick the 3000W model.
- 2800W for quick heat-up
- Long swivel cord
- 2-year guarantee
- No published steam figures
Our verdict: Anyone who finds it cheaper than the SI12055AQ on the day.
Best cordless Swan
Swan 2-in-1 Cord or Cordless SI16410N
- Power: 2800W
- Continuous steam: –
- Steam shot: 120g/min
- Tank: 300ml
Swan's only cordless iron, and the quickest to heat and recharge of any cordless iron we compared. Plug it in for long sessions.
Best budget Swan
Swan SI12054AQ ProSteam 2600W
- Power: 2600W
- Continuous steam: 35g/min
- Steam shot: 180g/min
- Tank: –
- Cord: –
- Soleplate: Ceramic
- Extras: Anti-calc, anti-drip, self-clean
A step down in power, with 35g/min of steam and a 180g/min shot. Fine for shirts and light weekly ironing. The 2200W SI12052AQ below it is cheaper still, but we would spend the little extra on this one.
- Cheap
- Decent 180g/min shot
- Self-clean
- Less steam than the SI12055AQ
Our verdict: Light, occasional ironing.
Best Swan travel iron
Swan SI3070N Compact Travel Iron
- Power: 900W
- Continuous steam: –
- Steam shot: –
- Tank: 100ml
- Cord: –
- Soleplate: Non-stick
- Extras: Travel pouch and filling beaker
A small, low-power steam iron that comes with a pouch and beaker. It is handy for holidays, halls and caravans, but at 900W it is slow on thick cotton. Check the listing for voltage before taking it abroad.
- Very compact
- Pouch included
- Variable temperature
- Low power
- Small 100ml tank
Our verdict: Travel and tiny spaces.
Are Swan irons any good?
For the price, yes. They are basic irons done properly: a ceramic soleplate that glides well, anti-drip so you don’t get water spots on delicate fabrics, and anti-calc to slow limescale. Where they fall behind Tefal, Philips and Braun is steam power and long-term build quality, and they lack features such as auto shut-off on some models.
Our rule: if you iron a couple of shirts a week, a Swan is all you need. If you iron for a family every weekend, spend a little more on a Russell Hobbs steam generator or a Tefal steam iron.
Swan vs Russell Hobbs vs Tower
- Swan is the cheapest per watt and has the simplest range. Good for basic ironing.
- Russell Hobbs costs a bit more but has stronger steam and a wider range, including better steam generators. See Russell Hobbs vs Morphy Richards.
- Tower competes on price too, and its cordless irons recharge a little more slowly than the Swan SI16410N. See our cordless iron guide.
Looking after a Swan iron
Use the self-clean function once a month (or every couple of weeks in a hard-water area): fill the tank, heat to max, hold the iron over a sink and press the self-clean button. Empty the tank after each use. For a step-by-step guide, see how to descale a steam iron.
Frequently asked questions
Which Swan iron is best?
The SI12055AQ for most people: 3000W, a 225g/min shot and a long swivel cord. The SI12051AQ steam generator is best for big loads, and the SI16410N is the best cordless Swan.
Are Swan irons made in the UK?
Swan is a British brand with a long history, but like most small appliance brands its irons are manufactured abroad.
Do Swan irons have auto shut-off?
Not all of them. Swan does not list auto shut-off for most of the current SI1205x range, so check the listing if it matters to you.
What guarantee do Swan irons have?
Most current Swan irons come with a 2-year manufacturer guarantee. Some listings state 1 year, so check before you buy.
Related guides
- Best steam irons UK (all brands)
- Cheap vs expensive steam irons
- Best cordless irons
- Best steam generator irons
- Best travel irons
How we chose: we compared manufacturer specifications, independent UK reviews and verified owner feedback, and checked every product was on sale in the UK when we last updated this guide. Sources include Swan product listings and specifications at Amazon UK; Which? review of the Swan SI16410N; Trusted Reviews. Prices change often, so check the latest price before you buy. How we research.
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